Najua Strooband-Said

Najua J. Strooband-Said will begin her 4th year at the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo Campus, majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Biomedical Sciences. Her undergraduate research experience includes participating in the project titled “Determining Levels of Heavy Metals in Button Mangrove from the Caño Tiburones Wetland” and in the project titled “Taxonomic Biodiversity Assessment of Insects in a Livestock Agrocosystem Using DNA Barcoding: Development of a Local Reference Library in Arecibo, Puerto Rico”. Her professional experience includes her work on-campus at ISMuL-AEL, where she has served as an assistant for the ISMuL Summer STEM Academy 2024 and 2026, as well as a student worker during the academic semester. She is an active member of the Neuroboricuas UPRA association, where she serves the role of vocal, of the Red Cross Association, where she serves as vice-president, of the SOT Undergraduate AAiliate and of the Honor Program at her University. Additionally, she is part of the university’s dance team, in which she has participated in various activities representing the institution, including the 2024 and 2026 LAI Interuniversity Games. Through the MSDT-One Health Program, Najua hopes to broaden her knowledge in environmental, animal, and human health from a toxicology perspective, as well as gain invaluable experience and engage in meaningful professional connections to help build towards her future. 

Mentors:
Nathan Pechacek
Oluwabunmi Dada